Price of Gujjar stir: Rs 4,500 cr

Most industries in Rajasthan are operating on 50 per cent of their production capacity and incurring losses of Rs 400-500 crore per day. Since the beginning of the agitation. the loss incurred is over Rs 4,500 crore.

Most industries in Rajasthan are operating on 50 per cent of their production capacity and incurring losses of Rs 400-500 crore per day. Since the beginning of the agitation, the loss incurred is over Rs 4,500 crore.

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The marble and oil industries, which together account for two-thirds of the workforce in the organized sector, are struggling to cope with the twin effects of the market slump and Gujjar agitation. The worst affected are traders in perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables and milk. Cement and steel too taken a hit, leading to rise in their costs.

According to Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry secretary Prem Biyani, industries are operating at half their normal capacities. “And this too is only because of in-house arrangements and supplies arranged within Rajasthan.” Industries dependent on sales outside Rajasthan and procurement of raw material from other states are forced to operate at lower levels.

The cement industry is facing a massive shipping problem. “Sales have been hit as the outlet for distribution has narrowed down considerably,” an industry official said.
Likewise, the steel industry is procuring raw material at higher rates. Within four days, rates of material components and scrap required in steel production has increased by Rs 2,000 per tonne, an industrialist said.